This exciting, single-day event replaces the Governor’s STEM Competition, making it more accessible and inclusive for all learners. Students in grades 5-12 collaborate, innovate, and problem-solve in a dynamic, hands-on environment. The day begins with a statewide virtual keynote and challenge reveal, followed by team-based design and prototyping. The competition serves as a launchpad for future innovation opportunities.
Grade Bands: 5-6, 7-8, 9-12
Date: February 5, 2026 (Snow Date: February 20, 2026)
Location:TBA Based on Registration
For more information, please download this Document
RegisterContact Person: Shanna Haden, shaden@iu17.org

The Keystone Competition

PA Student Competitions are evolving to better inspire, engage, and impact students across Pennsylvania through the introduction of The Keystone Competition. This exciting, single-day event will replace the current Governor’s STEM Competition, making it more accessible and inclusive for all learners. The redesigned format invites students in three grade bands: 5-6, 7-8, and 9-12, to collaborate, innovate, and problem-solve in a dynamic, hands-on environment.

STEMathon Resources

Design Processes

Educators and learners should be encouraged to lean into design processes when prototyping at a STEM-a-thon Event. Typically, either a Design Thinking Process and/or an Engineering Design Process is leveraged. There are a variety of resources available to support the use of these processes. A few are listed below:

Design Thinking Process

Engineering Design Process

Presentations

Once students have designed their prototype (digitally, physically, or conceptually) to solve the challenge, they’ll need to present the solution to judges. They will have limited time to explain and pitch their solution to the judges. This is a short and concise pitch not unlike what might be seen on an episode of “Shark Tank.” Here are a few resources which can help:

Example pitches which can be used with students: